SOUTHERN GROUNDS COFFEE HOUSE

Name: SOUTHERN GROUNDS COFFEE HOUSE
Address: 695 CENTRAL AVE, ST. PETERSBURG, FL, 33701, US
Rating: 59.7

695 CENTRAL AVE, ST. PETERSBURG, FL 33701

License #6218772

☕ Café/Breakfast ℹ️

59.7 Grade F / 100

Failing Health Score

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Latest inspection

November 2, 2026 · 17 findings · 4 critical

Routine - Food

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Critical

Highest-priority rows.

Major

Worth checking for repeats.

Minor

Usually lower-risk context.

Quick take

SOUTHERN GROUNDS COFFEE HOUSE in ST. PETERSBURG currently holds an InspectFL Health Score of 59.7 out of 100 — an F grade — a serious pattern of repeat or critical violations. This restaurant has 3 inspections on record from Florida DBPR, with the most recent inspection on November 2, 2026. Across those visits, inspectors documented 29 total violations — 6 critical, 10 major, 13 minor.

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Record snapshot

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Inspections on file

Clean inspections

Callback visits

Latest clean pass

August 7, 2025

The latest inspection on November 2, 2026 shows 17 observation rows: 4 critical, 4 major, and 9 minor.

Official recordInspection data quality

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Official source: DBPR

Inspection coverage

67%

Inspector notes

Coverage note

Inspector notes linked where available

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Community reaction

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Community pulse

Would you eat here?

SOUTHERN GROUNDS COFFEE HOUSE has a rough inspection history. Would you risk it?

F record

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*Scores are calculated by InspectFL based on public DBPR inspection data and are not official state ratings.

Inspection timeline

Inspection History

Read the newest inspection first, then scan for patterns. Repeated high-priority findings matter more than one isolated bad day.

Critical Major Minor

Inspector notes are being added across all restaurants. Some inspections may only show violation codes until notes are available.

Disposition: Administrative complaint recommended
[14-01-5] Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Plastic container stored in cooked rice on cook line. Employee removed container from cooked rice.
[14-69-4] Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. On floor of walk-in-freezer
[22-02-4] Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Can opener soiled with food debris. Employee removed can opener and placed in dish area to be washed.
[23-03-4] Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Top of four burner stove soiled with food debris. Interior of conveyor oven soiled with food debris.
[31A-11-4] Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Hand washing sink behind front counter soiled with food debris. Food debris in drain of hand washing sink.
[31B-02-4] No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. At hand washing sink behind front counter. Operator provided paper towels.
[40-06-5] Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Employee back pack on counter next to single serve plastic fork and knife packets. Employee removed back pack.
[41-24-4] Pesticide-emitting strip present in food prep area. Fly trap on table behind front counter next to espresso machine. Employee removed fly trap.
[22-08-4] Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Interior ceiling of microwave oven on cook line soiled with food debris.
[10-12-5] In-use ice scoop stored on soiled surface between uses. Ice scoop on top of ice machine. Employee washed ice scoop and put in pan for storage.
[50-09-4] Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed.
[03F-02-5] Time/temperature control for safety food identified in the written procedure as a food held using time as a public health control has no time marking and the time removed from temperature control cannot be determined. Pooled eggs on cook line had no time marking. Employee stated that the eggs were removed from refrigeration. Employee marked pooled eggs with time mark.
[24-08-4] Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Plastic lids on clean dish rack had droplets of water located on them.
[12A-10-4] Employee touched bare body part and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Employee in front counter area touched hair and then proceeded to grab clean cup. Inspector discussed proper hand washing practices with employee and operator.
[31B-04-4] No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. At hand washing sink behind front counter and in bathroom. Employee posted signs at both hand washing sinks.
[08A-05-6] Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw shell eggs stored over bags of bagels in reach-in-cooler on cook line. Employee moved raw shell eggs to bottom shelf.
[31B-03-4] No soap provided at handwash sink. At hand washing sink behind counter. Employee provided soap.

Disposition: Met Inspection Standards
[22-20-5] Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Interior soiled with pink mold like substance.
[16-21-4] Accumulation of debris on exterior of warewashing machine.
[22-08-4] Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Interior of turbo chef soiled with burnt food debris.
[31B-04-4] No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Missing at hand handsink next to three compartment sink. Missing at hand handsink at end of cook line across from walk in cooler. Employee posted sign at both hand sinks.
[50-17-3] Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Expired on 2/1/2026.
[08A-05-6] Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Containers of raw shelled egg whites, raw shelled pulled eggs, French toast egg wash, and raw shelled eggs stored above hard boiled eggs, white rice, and coleslaw inside reach in cooler on cook line across from stove top burners. Container of raw lamb and raw ground beef stored over container of portioned cooked chicken stored inside walk in cooler. Discussed with kitchen employee and items we moved.
[22-02-4] Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Can opener blade soiled with dried food debris.
[31A-11-4] Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Plastic pitcher stored inside hand handsink at end of cook line across from walk in cooler. Inspector removed item and discussed with employee.
[31B-02-4] No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Missing at hand handsink at end of cook line across from walk in cooler. Roll of paper towels stocked.
[31B-03-4] No soap provided at handwash sink. Missing at hand handsink at end of cook line across from walk in cooler. Bottle of soap stocked.
[53B-13-5] Proof of required state approved employee training not available for some employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. Observed training certificate for Lucas L. Completion date of 7/23/2025 through FLRA SafeStaff. No other training could be provided for the other two employee present engaging with food or in food preparation.
[41-17-4] Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Unlabeled spray bottles of dark pink and light pink liquid substance stored at three compartment sink in front counter area. Dark pink liquid substance stored at mop handsink. Bottles were labeled.